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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Of all the pleasures in life, none quite compares to nitpicking. In my job, I often have to use "curriculum vitae" in relation to medical experts. Whenever I type the phrase "a current curriculum vitae," Microsoft Word tries to correct me with its little green squiggly lines. It suggests "current curriculum vitae" or "a current curriculum vita." But that is wrong! "Curriculum vitae" is Latin for "course of life." The "-ae" ending on "vitae" isn't the plural; it the genitive case of "vita" meaning "of life." So "curriculum vitae" is the singular, and the plural is actually "curricula vitae." (Thus witness the fruits of four years of Latin in Catholic high school.)

So do you think Bill Gates will reward me for my acumen, or have me whacked for my insolence?